As fights over wages continue in the U.S., with low-paid workers protesting for a higher minimum wage and Congress stuck in a quagmire of inoperability, other countries have also tried to reform the wage situation within their borders. Switzerland's reent attempt was the boldest, but it failed to succeed.

Switzerland proposed raising its minimum wage to $25 an hour, which would have made it the highest in the world by almost $10. According to USA Today, the new wage was put to popular vote in a referendum, which did not pass.

In an overwhelming majority of 76.3 percent, voters rejected the minimum wage hike on Sunday. The proposed Decent Salary Initiative would mostly help immigrants who mostly work in unskilled jobs in agriculture, housekeeping and catering. The nation of 8 million does not have a minimum wage law, with wages set through contracts or collective bargaining. Nonetheless, the new law would have had little impact since around 90 percent of the population gets paid more than $25.

Median household income in Switzerland is around $6,800 a month, but union leaders say that they will continue to fight for better pay for workers. Opposition for the law was even found among those who get paid less, reports USA Today. Some of their jobs may disappear since employers may not want to pay those salaries. Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann agreed. "If jobs are being cut, the weakest suffer most," said Schneider-Ammann.

However, unlike Switzerland, the U.S. has greater wealth discrepancies. More U.S. cities and states are trying to raise the minimum wage for workers to what is considered a living wage.